Knowles in Nigeria

A trip to Nigeria might not be high on everybody's list of places they would most like to visit. It was against the advice of many seasoned travellers that I agreed as President of the QSi to lecture at the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of quantity surveyor's (NIQS) two day seminar on 7 and 8 February. My topic was 50 common contractual problems in the morning of the first day, followed by recent legal cases in the afternoon. My co-speaker who lectured on the second day was Barry Hook, another QS, whose subject was RIPAC software for use by QSs. I was advised to obtain kidnap insurance and to get myself well jabbed up. I am not sure whether either was necessary as I wasn't kidnapped and the jabs must have been effective as I returned well and healthy.

The flight from Heathrow to Lagos was comfortable and took just under six hours. My host and chaperone for the three days was Femi Onashine a local QS and chairman of the Lagos Chapter. A welcome dinner was preceded by all present enthusiastically singing the national anthem, which demonstrates the patriotic nature of most Nigerians. Anyone who is anyone in the QS world in Lagos was present and part of the proceedings involved many of them standing on request to take a bow.

I didn't appreciate that in addition to the one hour time difference there was another major difference between GMT and Nigerian time. The seminar was due to start at 10 am with speeches to be given by local signatories to be followed by me at 11.00.

Following the normal Nigerian time arrangements a delayed start occurred at 10.45 with me getting on at 11.45. I am not sure whether the manner in which I was introduced is normal but to get things underway my full CV was read out. I eventually made a start and the 150 smiling faces produced the sort of reaction that is a delight to every lecturer.

I was impressed by the NIQS. They have around 8,000 members and are interested in promoting the services which are offered by QSs. There several universities in Nigeria that provide QS courses, which include useful subjects such as measurement and building technology. The NIQS sets its own post degree examinations that all aspiring candidates are required to pass.

It was pleasing to see the number of practice notes produced by the NIQS on such matters as preliminary budget estimates, tender reports, interim valuations and interim financial statements. Handouts to try and entice clients to use QSs under the banners of "Who is a quantity surveyor and what can he do for you" and "The quantity surveyor and design & build or turnkey package deal" are also produced by the NIQS.

I found the three days an enjoyable and enlightening experience and was really pleased to have accepted the invitation. While Lagos is not what could be described as a safe city, the same can be said of many places in London and other major cities in the UK.